On The Rocks, Part 2

Part 2

>The Herd has settled down, mostly, from the death of the Dumb Friend. Foals are playing in the middle of Haven, running around and playing chase with each other.
>You have laid down on the Papers, hoping to give your sore leg a rest.
>The Papers is the warmest, driest part of Haven, away from the grate that lets sunlight and air in, but under an overhang of concrete.
>The Herd constantly adds more Paper to this part of Haven as Bedding, throwing away the Paper that goes bad or smells into the Tunnel that leads to Haven, along with the Poop, so that the Glowing Mushrooms will grow big and strong and keep the Munstas away.
>The Girl-Fluffy with the two white Foals is lying down with you, as are several of the other Girl-Fluffies.
>It’s nice to have a Hug.
>You haven’t felt this safe and loved in .... forever.
>The Girl-Filly said her name was Clover.
>She’s hugging your head to her chest as she dozes.
>She’s very warm, very soft.
>You vaguely remember your own Mother felt the same way.
>No-Lips is having an arguement with Zodd and Blue-Horn.
>You’re just so tired ....


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>”Zodd not be so rough!” No-Lips snarls, stamping a soft hoof hard on the cold concrete ground. “Mare too sore to walk! Had to get help from No-Name Not-Herd Fluffy to walk!”
>”No-Lips say I have any Girl-Fluffy I want. No-Lips not say I have to be Nice.” Zodd leered in return, eyeing the Girl-Fluffies dozing in the Papers. “Zodd like Special Hugs. Girl-Fluffies with foals not run when Zodd give Special Hugs.”
>”No-Lips not have Special Hugs anymore. No-Lips too old to have Special Hugs. No-Lips not understand.” Blue-Horn added, stepping closer to Zodd. “No-Lips maybe forget how good Special-Hugs feel?”
>The disfigured older Fluffy glares at the two males, a harsh, angry growl coming from deep in his throat.
>Blue-Horn flinches and takes a step back, and even the large and powerfully built Zodd shrinks back a little bit.
>”Remember Special Hugs. Remember what it feel like to hug Special Friend on cold nights. Remember how happy No-Lips felt when Foals come, look like No-Lips, call No-Lips Daddy.” The words come out of the Old Fluffy in short, angry bursts. “Remember how bad chest hurts when Special Friend died. Remember how hard it be to look after Foal on own. Remember how Foal played with Zodd when both were Foals.”
>”Remember when Zodd lived and No-Lips Foal died, because Bad Fluffy was too rough with Girl-Fluffies, and Girl-Fluffies who made Milk for Foals died from Bad Special Hugs.”
>No-Lips glares at the two younger Fluffies, both of whom are shuffling their hooves and looking down at the ground.
>”We not Bad Special Hug other Fluffies. Girl-Fluffies needed so Herd can grow. No Girl-Fluffies, No Foals, No Herd.” No-Lips said loudly enough to make the closest members of the Herd look up at him. “You Good Fluffy, Zodd. But you forget you Big Fluffy too. You forget you Too Big.”
>”And Blue-Horn forgets No-Lips nose still work. You found sweet thing in Park, but you not share with Herd.” The Smarty Friend turned his glare to the pale-blue Unicorn. “Old Fluffies stay behind in Haven to keep safe, stop other Herds taking it. Sweet thing could have been theirs, but you greedy and take for yourself. Could have slept in Papers, had pick of Girl-Fluffies for Special Hugs, but now both you Meanie Fluffies sleep on Outside.”
>”Wah! No, want sleep on papers! Zodd Good Fluffy!” Zodd bleated, seeming to shrink in upon himself. “Zodd Good Fluffy, drag Treasures down into Underground and to Haven!”
>”Zodd is Meanie Fluffy who hurt Girl-Fluffy!” No-Lips shouts back. “Blue-Horn is Greedy Fluffy who not share food with Old Fluffies! You spend tonight on Outside, then you remember to be Good Fluffies to Herd!”
>No-Lips snarls one last time and stomps away towards the Foals.
>Blue-Horn waits until No-Lips is far enough away before bumping Zodd’s shoulder with his horn.
>”No-Lips is Old Fluffy. He not be fast. He not be strong. He be Smarty, but he not be Fun.” Blue-Horn whispers to Zodd.
>Zodd is sniffling. Zodd is big, but he not too bright. Blue-Horn knows this because he is Smarty Pony, should be Smarty Pony but dumb mean old Fluffy Pony not get eaten or drown or wander off.
>Zodd is very big though ....
>”Zodd not want make No-Lips angry, Zodd just forgets, Zodd too big ...” The huge Fluffy sobs, his head dropping low in shame.
>”Zodd is Good Fluffy, but No-Lips is Mean Fluffy. Always makes Zodd go look for Munstas. Always makes Zodd carry Treasures.” Blue-Horn whispers again, moving close enough for his breath to tickle Zodd’s ragged ears. “No-Lips not friend to Zodd. No-Lips using Zodd. Zodd should be Smarty Pony, Zodd strong Fluffy, make strong Foals, make strong Herd.”
>The giant Fluffy’s ear twitches, either at Blue-Horn’s words or the tickle of his breath.
>”Zodd ... be Smarty Pony?” Zodd whispers to the concrete, his eyes wide and seeing something only he can see.
>”Zodd be Smarty Pony, have many Girl-Fluffies, have best food, sleep in best spot.” Blue-Horn whispers as he moves away from Zodd. “But Zodd must wait. Zodd must wait till No-Lips makes mistake. Then Zodd punish No-Lips, like No-Lips punished Dumb Friend.”
>Zodd nodded slowly, and Blue-Horn grinned.
>Zodd big Fluffy. But he not Smarty Fluffy.
>Blue-Horn be Smarty Pony, make Zodd do what he say .... and have Herd of his own again.


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>”Little Foal.” The little purple Pegasus jumps as you speak to her. Her little wings spring out in surprise, and her legs go rigid with shock.
>She falls over with a squeak.
>She is so cute. Like her mother.
>Your chest hurts. Bun-bun was a Good Fluffy. She was smart, looked after other Foals, didn’t run off from the Herd.
>Greeny was also Good Fluffy. Tricks was a Good Fluffy, but Tricks was too small to hold Greeny down when the Metal Munsta came whooshing past.
>”No-Lips! No-Lips!” The Foals cheer, bouncing over to nuzzle you. Your chest not hurts so badly now.
>The little Pegasus creeps over, her head down low, her wings tucked in tightly.
>”Little Foal, did Bun-bun give you name?” You ask, dropping your head down to try to meet her at eye-level.
>She looks away, trembling.
>”No. Mumma say I not be named till I three moons old.” The Pegasus whispers.
>Your chest hurts again.
>You had started that rule so Fluffies would forget Foals who died too young.
>”You be almost three moons old. I not think Bun-bun mind if you have name sooner.” You take a step forward and nuzzle the little foal’s head. “Bun-bun good Fluffy. No-Lips and whole Herd miss her.”
>”Not everyone.” The little foal whispered as the other Foals run around, shouting happily. “Peach say Mumma stupid Fluffy.”
>Peach ... oh. Peach-coloured Fluffy. You remember her. Nasty Fluffy. Bites Fluffies who she doesn’t like, kicks Foals when they make not-pretties on Paper.
>”Peach is stupid Fluffy. Not take care of her Foals. Not liked by other Fluffies. No-Lips not like her much, but she gives good Special Hugs to Boy-Fluffies, so she stay in Herd.” You explain to the little Foal. You see so much of Bun-bun in her.
>The little Pegasus Foal looks up at you for the first time with pale blue eyes and a hopeful look.
>”No-Lips remember Bun-bun always so nice, so kind. Always find nice clean Paper for Haven, always happy to help feed Foals.” You say, sitting on your hind-quarters and putting a hoof over the little Foal’s shoulders as you draw her into your lap. “Bun-bun always wanted a Foal of her own. And she be so happy when she have you. Is why I not let you go back to her. She be very, very sad in Rat Munsta eat you too.”
>The little Foal sighs and leans against your chest, and you feel a wetness. She’s crying.
>Hugs for the Foal. Hugs so she feel better.
>”I miss Mumma.” She whispers from inside your hug.
>”No-Lips miss her too.” You reply. You miss Bun-bun greatly.
>She was the last of your Foals.
>Hugs help, but chest still hurts so bad.


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>You wake a little while later, still being hugged by Clover ... and other Fluffies.
>The Foals came over for naps.
>You have Clover’s two foals asleep on you.
>They’re not too heavy, you don’t mind.
>But where is Bun-bun’s Foal?
>You look around, feeling a little bit panicked.
>No-Lips asked you to feed her, you feel like you are responsible for the little Foal.
>She is having Hugs with No-Lips.
>No-Lips looks sad. You’ve never seen him look so ... old. So small.
>You gently get up, letting the Foals slide off your back and onto the Paper, and pick your way over the sleeping Fluffies.
>Hooves reach out for Hugs, but you dodge them, saying “Sorry” and “Need make poopies.”
>The entrance of Haven is where No-Lips tells everyone to make poopies.
>The smell is terrible, but it keeps the Munstas out.
>Wittles is there, whining as rubs his face with a hoof where No-Lips struck him earlier.
>He smells terrible.
>”Wittles head owies?” You ask as you squat near the biggest pile and wait for poop to come.
>”Yes. Big owies. Ear making funny noises.” Wittles whimpers. “Wish No-Lips not be so mean.”
>”No-Name wish so too, but No-Lips is Smarty Pony. He leads Herd, he makes rules.” You reply sadly, then step away from the pile. It too smelly. “Come on, we go to talk to Old Fluffies, maybe they know how to stop Big Owies.”
>”Me hope so. Is Big Owies.” Wittles says sadly as you both trot towards Old Fluffy Corner.
>Where Papers is littered with the remains of newspapers, food wrappers and other bits of paper, Old Fluffy Corner has the few pillows the Herd has managed to scrounge and pieces of Cardboard used as walls, where the Old Fluffies spend most of their days.
>Most are too old to run too fast. So Herd leaves them at Haven to stand guard over Haven so other Fluffies not take it.
>Only two Herds have found Haven before. First time, their Smarty Friend was beaten by No-Lips, and their Herd joined his herd.
>Second time, the Other Herd came when most of No-Lip’s Herd was out.
>Old Fluffies tried to shoo Other Herd away, but Other Herd hurt Old Fluffies. Swift-Legs became Some Legs. Bufflie became One-Eye. But Old Fluffies scared Other Herd into Bad Fluffy Pit by yelling at the top of their lungs.
>Haven make bad noises if Fluffies too large, Other Herd not know this and think Munstas coming, fled from Old Fluffies and ran right into Bad Fluffy Pit.
>No-Lips said wall should be built after that in case Herd get scared and run into Bad Fluffy Pit.
>Gnaff, a balding pale-blue Fluffy, stares at you with watery eyes as you approach Old Fluffy Corner.
>Gnaff gets very cold, so No-Lips often ask Foals to sleep in Old Fluffy Corner with him. Gnaff looks scary, but he’s very gentle, doesn’t speak.
>”Hello Gnaff. Friend Wittles ear hurts. We speak to All-Mumma?” You ask the Old Fluffy.
>He nods and waves at you from his pillow to enter.
>You stop before going in and pull the blanket off the ground and back over Gnaff’s patchy back.
>Wittles nuzzle’s Gnaff’s head and tells him Gnaff is looking better.
>Gnaff doesn’t speak, but his eyes light up, and he smiles a little bit.
>Old Fluffy Corner smells of bad cabbages.
>You don’t mind so much. Old Fluffies very nice. Always happy to see other Fluffies.
>Some-Legs and Two-Socks are playing game with round rock, pushing it back and forth. Two-Socks is being Nice Fluffy and only using one front leg, so Some-Legs can play too.
>One-Eye is snoring and farting in his corner. He tells good stories, but lately he keeps forgetting stories in the middle.
>You not mind. It still fun.
>All-Mumma lays on a faded pink pillow at far end of Old Fluffy Corner, muttering to herself.
>She once be very very fat, but she all loose and wrinkly now.
>All-Mumma’s sides hang down over pillow and touch ground, her Fluff be long and wispy and pale white.
>Other Fluffies say All-Mumma had many Foals, been part of many Herds, even Older than No-Lips or other Old Fluffies.
>”All-Mumma?” You ask, lying down in front of her pillow and waiting for her to notice you.
>Wittles does the same, his tail half-lifted with hope.
>It takes a few moments, but eventually her eyes focus on you.
>”What No-Name and Wittles want? All-Mumma thinking of Park. Miss grass. Miss sun.” She sighs, shifting awkwardly on her pillow.
>”Wittles ear hurt!” Wittles whines, scooting forwards and turning his head so the Old Fluffy can see the injury. “No-Lips buck Wittles in head when Wittles ... when Wittles be silly Fluffy.” The grey Fluffy mutters the last part.
>”Hmmpf. Wittles is Silly Fluffy. But All-Mumma look. Come here.” The Old Fluffy snorts, then pokes Wittle’s ear and head with a worn, ragged hoof, mumbling under her breath as she does so.
>”All-Mumma fix Owies?” Wittle asks hopefully.
>”No. But All-Mumma know how Wittles fix Owies.” She replies, tucking her leg back under her folds of loose skin. “Wittles put head against Green Wall and go to sleep. Green Wall cold, make owies stop if you put head on it for long time.”
>The Green Wall is near the Bad Fluffy Pit.
>”No other way?” Wittles asks, fear in his voice. “Maybe Dragon still hungry, Dumb Friend not that big.”
>”Dragon no can get out of Bad Fluffy Pit. Wittles stop being wuss and go put head on Green Wall, and let One-Eye sleep!” One-Eye grumbles from his pillow.
>”One-Eye be going back to sleep. Fluffies came to see All-Mumma, not One-Eye.” All-Mumma says tartly, turning her head towards the other Old Fluffy. “One-Eye needs rest for Story Time, leave Owies-Fixing to All-Mumma.”
>Turning back to Wittles, All-Mumma gives him a warm smile. “One-Eye be grumpy Fluffy, but he be right. Dragon no can climb out Bad Fluffy Pit. Stay on safe side of Wall, Wiffle be fine.”
>”I be Wittles.” Wittles says.
>”Him too.” All-Mumma replies calmly. She’s so smart, you’re in awe. You always thought Green Wall was just place where Fluffies eat Nasty Green Stuff if they can’t go out for Grass or Munsta-Food.
>Never thought cold wall be good for fixing Owies!
>Follow Wittles over to Green Wall, but stop as you watch the Foals play with No-Lips.
>He’s rolling stones to them with his Hooves, and they are chasing them, shouting “Bawws!”
>He’s laughing.
>Little Purple Foal is leaning against him, smiling.
>She sees you and waves a hoof at you.
>You wave back, and then stop when you see No-Lips staring at you.
>There’s nothing else in Haven for a few second but you and No-Lips.
>You wave at him too. Maybe he felt left out?
>No-Lips gives a little laugh and waves back.
>No-Lips is a strange Fluffy sometimes.
>If you get that old, will you be that strange?
>Wittles is yelling at you to come help him find clean place to lay down next to Green Wall.
>It takes some time, but you find a place where the ground isn’t too dirty, and Wittles lays down on his belly, putting his sore ear to wall.
>”Wah! Cold!” He says, before forcing his head back against the wall.
>You wonder if the Green Wall can fix your leg too.
>You lie down facing Wittles, putting your sore leg as much against the wall as you can.
>”Waaah! Very cold!” You say, and Wittles laughs a little.
>”Wittles just say that.” He chuckles.
>”No-Name not think it be so cold!” You reply, blushing in embarrassment.
>But All-Mumma was right. You can feel the Owies going from your leg.
>It’s not fun being near the Green Wall, but Owies even less fun.
>You’ll have to remember this.
>You made yourself remember what Fluffy Markers looked like after getting separated from the Herd a few days after you joined. It took a while, but you remembered where sticks point is way to Haven.
>No-Lips said it Smarty Thing to do, but you were No-Name Not-Herd, so you not get Hugs for that.
>But he let you sleep in Papers. Does that mean you No-Name Is-Herd now?
>You’ll ask him later. Now, you just want to see if Green Wall can take Owies away completely.
>Wittles is asleep and drooling.
>You can see Zodd near the wall of stones that separates the Bad Fluffy Pit from the rest of Haven. He seems to be talking to the Wall.
>Can’t see Blue-Horn.
>No-Lips has left Foals to go visit Old Fluffy Corner.
>Some of the Girl-Fluffies from Papers have gone over to the Entrance of Haven to build up the Pile some more.
>Clover is walking over to you, her two foals and the little purple Pegasus Foal following.
>”Why you sleeping on Green Wall. It cold, it dirty. Come back to Papers, warm there.” She says, giving you a funny look.
>”All-Mumma says cold in Green Wall fix Owies. It working.” You reply. “If bum hurting still, maybe put against Green Wall and see if it take your Owies too?”
>Clover looks at you, then at the wall, then at the Foals. All three are happy now, and there are traces of milk on all their lips.
>Little Foal will live. Makes your chest feel so big.
>Clover turns around and presses her rear against the wall, shivering and saying “Coldsies! Coldsies on No-No place!”
>A few moments pass before she exclaims “It working! It working! No-Name so smart!”
>”No, All-Mumma so smart. No-name just listen.” You tell her.
>Foals are touching their noses to the Green Will and giggling about how cold it is. Then they start touching you with cold noses and make you yelp.
>It’s a new game. Everybody is touching everybody with cold noses, and there is lots of fun.
>“Me wish Herd could stay in Wittles safe place, play in shallow waters, eat grass, lie in sun.”
>You remember what No-Lips said. Is this what he meant. Just being with Friends, with Foals, playing games and not being scared or sad?
>It’s a very sad thought, and you try to think of something more fun, but you can’t get sad words out of your head.
>If No-Lips always having to remember sad things so he can remind Herd and not let Foals die, no wonder he so strange all the time.
>You remind yourself to ask him about it later. Other than Foals, you not see many Fluffies giving No-Lips hugs or playing with him.
>That makes you sad. No-Lips is mean sometimes, but he also be Smarty Friend who lead Herd past Munstas without everyone being eaten, he look after Foals and never seems to get thanks.
>As the little Pegasus foal climbs onto your back and starts to hide from the other two foals, you wonder what it is like to be a Smarty Friend for so long.